What method do you use for homeschooling?

We use the Eclectic way. Basically mishmashing whatever works for her at the time and grabs her attention.

We have been homeschooling for 4 yrs and she is in the 3rd grade.

I have saved money on supplies by buying books second hand at places like thrift stores or on Amazon.com in the used section. We have found some pretty amazing stuff at the thrift stores (our most recent find was a Discovery Bubble Gum Lab still in it's shrink wrap--at the Discovery Store it would have cost me about $25-$30 but at the thrift store I spent $2 **all parts and never used**). My daughter is really into Nancy Drew and I have saved a bundle by finding them at the thrift store.

Whatever you decide to use, make sure that it is NON-consumable, meaning you can use it for more than one child. I have found that if it is consumable (use only once) that it is easier to make copies and keep the original as a master (great for review materials). For things like maze games or finder games like what is in the Highlights Magazine that the kids get upset because once it's used it's gone, I use the clear sleeve protectors and dry erase markers and this way it can be used over and over.

We do a mix of "school in a box" (well, a pc - it's delivered online) and "unschooling". My son does formal curriculum work for 2-3 hours, then he has the rest of the day to do self-directed, independent study.

It's also a good idea to find out your children's learning styles. Then you can plan curriculum around that. Each child may need something different.

I sort of blend Classical and Charlotte Mason methods, along with some traditional textbook learning, and I sprinkle in a Unit Study once in a while... on occasion we all need a break and we take an unschooling approach for a time.

Eclectic.

I have four little ones 7 and under and enrolled them into a charter school that allows me to home school and offers co-ops and field trips to get together with other parents and children. It also offers a fund to use for whatever curriculum, supplies, and extra curricular classes like violin, ballet or whatever else I may choose for them.

I have a teacher that comes out once a month to make sure I'm actually teaching my children, but also to make sure I'm on track with meeting or in my children's cases exceeding state standards. When she comes out, I give her my lesson plan for the next month and hand over samples of the previous lesson plan.

I use the same Math, and English books used in public schools, yet use what's called a thematic units for their Science and Social Studies because I really want those subjects to be more hands on.

We are relaxed homeschoolers:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/relaxed-ho...

I think unschooling is a great idea for 3 boys under 5. Enjoy these years!

Here are some preschool activities you may enjoy:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/homeschool...

Best wishes!

Unschooling with a bit of suggesting things to do since dd is only 4. I plan on continuing the same way since the whole formal timetables and subjects you hate thing just seems to be designed beat any creativity and love of learning out of a child.

Spare the rod, spoil the child!

When they know that you will use it, you don't have to use it.

They love it when you learn with them. Lots of one on one. Learn something with them that you do not know. Your interest stimulates their interest. If you slip intp a boring routine, shake it up for you AND them. My grandkids and I study languages together, Latin, German, French, Swedish, Korean, etc. We compete with each other.

Grandson and I studied Viking history and Viking runes together. We do everything together.

My curriculum is literature based not sure if it classical or not. We use Sonlight and love it! www.sonlight.com

You should go to www.Homeschool.com, it has all of the information.

i use a method that is privite